The public library has been a neighborhood fixture for hundreds of years, and the modern library has grown into an information and entertainment hub reaching into many extended communities. GMILCS connects the communities of Amherst, Bedford, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Salem, Manchester, Merrimack, and Milford, as well as the libraries at New England College, Southern NH University, and NH Institute of Art. An item can be reserved at any participating branch, picked up and returned just as easily. All our libraries now feature downloadable audio and e-books straight from their websites, and on-line catalogs are common. Summer programs are carefully planned for the specific needs of the individual towns, but are open to the public so the entertainment value is multiplied.
WeareThis summer, The Weare Public Library will be featuring a Make A Splash-Read!! program for students grades 1-6. The library also hosts adult seniors events, travel and book discussions, and story time/crafts for the very young. Laura Martin and Sarah Wagner attended the Ice Cream Social on June 24 with Laura’s mother, Mary. Both entering 5th grade, they were well into their book lists after only one week of summer vacation. “Our goal is 26 books,” said Sarah. “There’s a little prize bag when you reach your goal,” explained Laura. “We have no idea what’s in it until we get it!” The Weare Public Library is open at 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday for the summer. Library Director Christine Hague can be reached at 529-2044, or visit their blog at
www.wearepl.wordpress.comNew BostonThe brand new Whipple Public Library has teamed with TD Bank to reward young readers with a $10 savings deposit for the first 10 books they read this summer. The YA Readers program for grades 7 through high school has a full schedule with weekly events and a trip to Water Country in cooperation with the New Boston Recreation Department. Rewards are plentiful and typically small but exciting, and the summer concludes with a pizza party and raffle. There is a Jr. Book Club for grades 3-5, and activities for elementary school students include an over-night “Lock In” on August 6. The calendar at Whipple includes plenty of story hours and crafts for the very young but you will also find hiking, theater and visiting authors that will appeal to all ages. Hampstead Stage Company presents the family friendly Treasure Island on July 12, and a “Survivors” picnic on August 12. The Whipple Free Library is open at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and at 2:30 pm. on Thursday. The library closes at 12:30 on Saturday. For more information you may call Library Director Sarah Chapman at 487-3391, or visit their web page at
www.whipplefreelibrary.org. You may also look for them on Facebook.
DunbartonDunbarton Library surmounts it’s small space by taking advantage of the modern technology that allows them to reach many young readers via the internet. Downloadable program guides connect with teens ages 11+, with events scheduled weekly throughout the middle of the summer. Reading logs are posted on line for youth who are unable to visit the library regularly, and the library maintains a teen blog. Dunbarton is also hosts an active blog for adults, and is the only other library with a men’s coffee break, at 9 a.m. on the first and third Friday of every month. The Dunbarton Public Library is open from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. For more information call Library Director Andrea Douglas at 774-3546, or visit the library web site at
http://users.gsinet.net/dunlib/GoffstownPatrons will find the Goffstown Public Library out ahead of the technology curve with their YouTube videos, active Facebook page, and their popular video game rental program. Featuring the most comprehensive web site in the area, Goffstown also boasts the Polaris Library System that takes community service to a whole new level. This summer they’ll be joining Dunbarton and Weare in the Make A Splash-Read! program, with water-themed stories, crafts, and activities. “ There are a number of family programs that are open to adults,” says Sandy Whipple, Adult Services and Outreach Director. The focus will be on the whole family with a concert by the Sonic Boomers on July 8th at 7 p.m., and container gardening on Friday evening, August 4th. Goffstown teens will find many age-appropriate activities, such as an Animé club, Wii and Guitar Hero events, and on Thursday, July 15 at 6 p.m. “Rock ‘N Roll Over Dead Murder Mystery”. Adult programs are a large part of the Goffstown Library calendar, with Third Thursday Game Nights, the Blank Page writers group, card making and knitting workshops, and both afternoon and evening book discussion groups. Popular coffee house events at Apotheça on Depot Street include an Open Mic Night on July 9 and an Artists Reception for Children’s Book Illustrators on July 17. To round out the events, WMUR meteorologist Josh Judge will visit the library on Wednesday, July 21 at 1:30. The Goffstown Library is open Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. For more information, call Library Director Dianne Hathaway at 497-2102, or visit their web site at
http://www.goffstown.lib.nh.us. You can also find them on Facebook.